Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical engineers work in different areas of medicine focusing on various ways that technology can be used to treat or alleviate biological or medical problems. Some look at how different substances are processed in the body and generate medicines to enhance those processes. Others focus on developing materials that will promote healing or that can replace worn or injured body parts. Some biomedical engineers specialize in electronics or mechanics that have medical applications.

Education

A four year college degree is needed for biomedical engineering work. Many biomedical engineers have degrees in chemical or electrical engineering, but also take many of "pre-med" classes. Many get graduate degrees, and some continue on to medical school and get M.D's.

Job Outlook

Employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings for bioengineers and biomedical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.*

Lifestyle

Many biomedical engineers work in research labs.

Skills

You are a Biomedical/Bioengineering engineer, if you:

• Can sell your ideas to get the grants you will need 
• Have tenacity; won't give up even when discouraged
• Like math and physics 
• Are fascinated with how things work
• Like to build mechanical things 
• Can solve problems creatively
• Love to use your imagination to think about how to make things better 
• Want to help people have higher quality lives 

Salary

The average salary for an entry-level biomedical engineer is $100,730.*

Examples

• Create a prosthetic leg designed especially for children
• Grow tissues that help repair damage from heart attacks
• Protect the environment by producing organic fertilizer
• Grow vegetables that contain more nutrients
• Develop cancer treatments that don’t cause debilitating side effects

 *Source: U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 2025